Wilson’s Miramichi River fly-fishing report as of May 11th . We had another heavy rain late last week which brought the river up again. We had good fishing for both salmon and local trout on Friday then the high water hit .The high water is great for the soon to arrive “Rocky Brook Salmon” and word is that there are Sea-run brook trout in the lower system now . Some people will be tempted to fish for the trout with a 5 wt., but be aware you don’t want to hook a rocky brook salmon with a trout rod . Even the big sea-run trout can be a challenge on light gear , so stick to a 7 or 8 wt. for the next few weeks . We are still seeing a fair number of spring salmon but tactics will change almost on a daily basis now .

Wilson’s on the Miramichi River is so impressed with the new Orvis Helios rods that we are teaming up with the Orvis company to bring you what we firmly believe to be the “best damn rod on the market today” ( Karl Wilson – fifth generation Miramichi River guide ). Wilson’s guides are the real pros and after putting numerous Helios rods through the paces fly-fishing for Atlantic Salmon on the Miramichi River in 2008 , they are convinced that every angler should have one of these fantastic rods in their kit . Check out the Orvis link for details on how you can own one of these beauties FOR FREE.

Please consider the following facts :

* Wilson’s on the Miramichi River is one of the most economically priced Salmon fishing lodges in the world

* compare our rates to fishing in Russia , Norway , Iceland and even Quebec .

* The US > CDN exchange rate is app. 25% in your favor today . We quote in CDN funds .

* Wilson’s is just a days drive by car from New York and Boston

* 2008 was the best season since the mid 1980′s and it promises to be as good or better for MSW salmon in 2009

* Wilson’s own’s some of the finest private salmon fishing pools on the river ( 5 miles – 16 pools) and we fish small groups resulting in no crowds and no line ups .

* Wilson’s has been in business since 1855, we know a thing or two about catching Atlantic Salmon .

* Wilson’s guides can make you a better angler .

………..I invite you to fish Wilson’s in 2009, it is going to be great fishing and more affordable than most other Salmon fishing destinations .

Sincerely yours, Keith Wilson

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Atlantic salmon fly-fishing conditions for the Miramichi River at McNamee as of September 12th . The water is holding perfect and there are fish in every holding pool . We are starting to see more big fish in the 20 – 30 pound range but unfortunately they are taking slow . The fish are in the jumping mode , which is not unusual for early September but will soon switch to the taking mode as they begin the fall move in preperation to spawning time ( late October ) . All fish taken this week were on everyones favorite fly , the green machine with white calf tail . If the water stays normal height and clears up a little more we will start using more small black flys again . The long range weather forecast is calling for a little rain and moderate temps so hopefully the river will not get too cold before the big fall fish turn on . Anglers , keep the faith , we always have this little slow period with fish jumping eveywhere but taking slow , then it suddenly turns on .

News
Atlantic Salmon Rebound

August 18th, 2008

After years of decline, wild Atlantic salmon rebound in eastern North America
CANADIAN PRESS

FREDERICTON — After years of decline, it looks like wild Atlantic salmon are making a comeback in the rivers of eastern North America.

While scientists and anglers are tempering their enthusiasm until a clear trend is established, there’s no question this is a record summer for young salmon called grilse returning to home rivers after one year at sea.

“People are talking about runs they haven’t seen for a decade or more,” says Gerald Chaput, a biologist with the federal Fisheries Department.

On the storied salmon rivers of New Brunswick, heavy rains and high waters are providing perfect conditions for salmon.

“People are seeing fish and they’re catching fish,” says Mark Hambrook, president of the salmon association on New Brunswick’s Miramichi River, which produces more than 20 per cent of North America’s Atlantic salmon. (more…)

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Atlantic salmon fly-fishing conditions for the Miramichi River at McNamee on August 19th . Big question, what does all this high water mean for our upcoming fall run . The picture posted today shows a tiny spring that always dries up by early July . This high water is the same for all brooks and swamps that make up the Miramichi watershed . Normally a guide on this river is never one to complain about extra water , but we are concerned about what this means for our fall run . Over the last three or four days we are seeing more and more fresh -run salmon travelling and now that the river height is getting down to what would be considered a good June level , anglers in the upper river pools can expect good fishing from now on . As the water drops off to a normal late summer level we are predicting the entire river system to really turn on for the fall . We hope the “fall run ” will come in on normal schedule and all camps and guides have an excellent fall .

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Atlantic salmon fly fishing conditions for the Miramichi at McNamee August 7th . As you can see from this photo our river at McNamee is still nearly 18inches above normal . The pools are starting to shape up a little and we have hopes of normal water levels by early next week . Both fish taken this week were bright and silver and full of fight . The high water pools are obviously the only ones being fished . Garrett , Anthony and I canoed the Cains River yesterday , beautiful canoeing water but is useless for fishing , still 15 inches above normal .

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Atlantic Salmon Fly fishing conditions on the Miramcihi River at Wilson’s for July 23rd . I know some of you are going to think I am full of crap but I am pleased to report another perfect little raise of water . As of tonight the river is up app. 5 inches here in McNamee and under cloudy skies the temps are near perfect . We are having excellent fishing on some days with fresh fish moving through and other days it is about normal for late July fishing and when we get a really hot sunny day , which can be expected this time of year then the salmon retreat to the deep holding water and sulk . We have yet to get into the typical warm water period where bombers work best , when this does come around most of the guides think we are in for some fantastic dry fly fishing .

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Atlantic salmon fly fishing conditions at McNamee on the Miramichi River as of July 17th . The water height remains superb, compare todays picture with my June 30th and July 5th reports to see the difference . The warm weather is heating things up during the mid day resulting in slow evenings but we are hooking fish in most pools in the mornings . Bombers are working if you know the best technique . Presentation does make a difference at this time of the season, Doug Hill , whom I consider a “Fly fishing Pro” hooked three fish and rolled several more yesterday under tough conditions .
(more…)

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Pictured here is Murray Wilson holding the flash light , brother Tom holding the gaff , unkown lucky guest holding the huge salmon and guide Pat Stewart holding the fishing rod . The Stewart clan guided side and side with the Wilson family for nearly 100 years and continue today as Joe Stewart , Harrold & Christies son, guides for Keith & Karl . This photo hangs in our lodge today and it always brings the question from the onlooker, what is the significance of the flashlight ? The photo was taken in the mid morning facing the rising sun , so no need of a light that time of day . So it is our guess that Pat Stewart , the guide , had to call in backup late the night before as darkness overtook the pair trying to land this big fish , so Murray held the light while Tom gaffed the fish . Notice also that none of the men have their fishing gear on when the photo was taken . So readers , it is important to always take your camera to the river , you never know what interesting story will be told , or as in this case guessed at many years from the day . Stay tuned for a series of old pictures airing in the coming weeks .

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Atlantic salmon fly-fishing conditions at Wilson’s on the Miramichi River as of July 10th . Surprise surprise , yet another beautiful 6 inch raise in water as of 5 pm today . Maybe it is true , this could be ” one of those years ” that anglers wait for . The last three days has been very hot and the river warmed up but with the more than perfect water height we are still seeing fish moving . The air temps are forecast to cool right down overnight and into Sunday so with this raise we should be in for more good fishing . Reports from up and down the river and most rivers across eastern Canada are all the same , the best fishing in years . A 52 inch hen salmon has been recorded at the Juniper barrier pool app 10 days ago , to think that she swam right by my front door and I had a chance to hook into this monster is enough to keep any angler awake at night .
Now is the time folks and we have several spots available over the next two weeks . Give us a call for some great discounts , toll free 1-877-365-7962.

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Atlantic Salmon fly-fishing conditions at Wilson’s on the Miramich River July 5th . The water is still high and dropping slowly . The aquefer ( underground river ) that stretches far out under the islands allong the river as well as the inland swamps and brooks are fully soaked with water now, which will help keep the river up over the coming summer months . According to world renowned hydrologists Robert Newbury ,who conducted university studies here a few years ago on the river , says that there is almost as much water under these islands during normal summer height as what there is in the river , this is crucial in maintaining a healthy watershed . This is why it is so important not to strip these islands of the precious top soil that protects the aquefer from evaporation . It took thousands of years for the top soil to build up and it takes only a few hours with a tractor and loader to destroy . Luckily for the Miramichi , and other NB rivers land owners are regulated by very strict laws that protect this riparian area from destruction . Air temps at 6:30 Am are around 10c. so water temps are ideal . During the afternoon this last couple days air temps warmed up but with the above average height and cool nights the water is good . We started seeing a lot of fish again yesterday , most of which are grilse so this is obviously the July run on its way in . With the high water we are still fishing only a few pools but these pools fish best in high water anyway .

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Fr: Doug Hintzman – July 1st
During the week that Pete Humphreys and I gave spey casting instruction at Wilson’s Sporting Camps on the Miramichi River we had the pleasure of seeing Karl Wilson join the team of guides . Karl is Keith & Bonnies oldest son and he grew up on the Miramichi and fished it regularly . It was interesting to see Karl working side by side with two of the most experienced guides known to the river , Ernest Long and Joe Stewart . They shared lifetimes of information and tricks of the trade with “the new guy” whom they had both watched grow up around camp . During my stay Karl guided a couple fishing Stanley’s front Pool one evening . The women was brand new to fly fishing but with a bit of patient teaching on casting and fishing technique she was able to hook her first ever bright grilse . Guides secrets will continue to be passed on from E.J. and Joe over the years to come, but Karl already has a good foothold and will do the Wilson family tradition proud . I look forward to being able to tell fellow anglers in the future that I was at Wilson’s the week Karl started guiding . Good luck Karl , see you again soon.
Douglas Hintzman

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Sometimes big water requires big equipment in order to operate efficiently. We are fortunate to have two of these beautiful cedar strip canoes for getting around in all river conditions . These vessels are designed and engineered to work perfectly on this area of the Miramichi . They are unique by the fact that they are 28 feet long with a square stern and pushed by a 25 hp jet outboard , they will skim over just 8 inches of water with two anglers and guide aboard so we can navigate the river all season . The bottom of the boat is finished with a kevlar mat and heavy hardwood keel , inside is smooth clear epoxy over 1 inch wide cedar strips . Each boat is also set up with electric start on remote controls and a stick steering system that places the guide app 8 feet from the stern , this puts all the weight in the middle of the boat . Having these boats on site provide anglers much more convenient access to our five miles of river therefore increasing your chances of hooking the big one .

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Just when the river was getting down to the perfect level we get hammered with rain and really high water . It dumped on us big time Saturday night , most of Sunday and then again this morning . The water was still coming up as of 6:am this morning so fishing will be tough for the next few days . On a positive note this is good for the river and good for the fish and with this big run of fish on the move there will still be fish taken in some areas . We will focus our attention on island sections that have wide slopeing beaches that will be covered in one to three feet of water , this will be the travelling lane for the salmon and if you get a fly over one it will still take . So not all is lost we just have to change our tactics and be content with three or four pools instead of twelve to sixteen .